As Chiropractors, we access changes and alterations in your spine and make specific gentle corrections as we find the need. Ever wonder why? Well, your spine is actually the part of your body that is protecting your spinal cord, which is a MAJOR part of your central nervous system. Think of your nervous system like your master control system of your body.

Here at Spoelstra Family Chiropractic and Focus, we do things a little differently; our doctors utilize very specific testing and analysis to determine Nervous System compromise. In fact, what our doctors are actually looking for is something called a Neuro-Structural Shift of your spine. This is when the bones of your spine become slightly misaligned and can cause very important information traveling to and from your brain to become less efficient or interfered with. Think of this like static on the telephone line that may be causing some errors in messages being sent to and from your brain and body. We correct this with a gentle Neuro-Structural Correction to the spine, to increase the proper communication and ultimately increase the efficiency of how your body works and its overall function!!

Pretty cool right??

Well did you know that you have a second brain, another brain along with the brain in your head?

So where is this other brain?

Hidden in the walls of your gut (Digestive tract) is essentially a second brain! This second “little’ brain has been named the Enteric Nervous System (ENS). YES! Another Nervous System, much like the one we focus on as Chiropractors!

Your ENS is composed of more than 100 million nerve cells that line your gastrointestinal tract – from esophagus to rectum. The main role of this 2nd brain is to control digestion and send messages to the brain about what’s going on in the gut. We are actually learning now that the second brain plays a HUGE role in your over immune system, cognition and even hormonal system to name a few. This second brain is VERY important!

The brain in your head and the brain in your gut are always exchanging information and communicating back and forth. One way the brain communicates back to the gut is by way of the Vagus Nerve.

The Vagus Nerve is the longest nerve in your body. It runs from your brainstem down to many of your vital organs, including your stomach and intestinal tract. This nerve plays a very important role in your body’s digestion. Not only is it the longest nerve, but it is also effects both sides of your Autonomic Nervous System. Meaning it is both Sympathetic (which is you Flight or Fight mode) and Parasympathetic (which is Rest and Digest or Relaxation mode).

When the messages being sent down to the gut are in response to Sympathetic mode (Stress!), the gut reacts by slowing down digestion. Although this stress response is normal and healthy when it occurs in the short term, this can cause negative effects on the gut and digestion if the messages continue to relay Sympathetic messages over a long period of time. This is when secondary conditions can begin to emerge. Secondary conditions in the gut commonly present as poor digestion, mal absorption indigestion, irritability and gastrointestinal disorders which may include diarrhea, constipation, and stabbing, cramping, pain after eating, bloating to name a few etc. But can also present as things like anxiety, mood challenges, brain fog and even immune system weakness.

By decreasing the stress on your nervous system and vagal nerve, we can help the gut function better and decrease secondary conditions! We do this by making specific Neuro-Structural Corrections, decreasing added stress on the body and increasing communication between the body and the brain.

Unfortunately, these are common secondary conditions that many people struggle with these days. It is always a great idea to look for the root cause or primary reason for symptoms and that is why we have objective testing to measure stress on your nervous system. If this is you or someone you know feel free to schedule a time to sit down with one of our doctors to discuss possible testing to look for potential Neuro-Structural shifting of the spine that may be changing your first and second brain!

FOCUS Program

About Us

Patients seeking treatment at Spoelstra Family Chiropractic are assured of receiving only the finest quality of care through the use of modern chiropractic equipment and technology. Dr. Amy Spoelstra and the staff have a genuine concern for your well-being!